Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu believes there are no weak opponents in the club’s Champions League draw.
The holders were pitted against Bayer Leverkusen, Roma and BATE Borisov in the defence of the trophy won in Berlin in June.
June’s success was Barca’s fifth European Cup and the club was honoured by UEFA with a special video and Blaugrana legends conducting the draw.
“It’s a good group. It’s interesting for the Barca fans to enjoy the football and the matches, the show,” he said, Mundo Deportivo reports.
“There are no weak rivals. They’re all strong. It’s interesting. Our players will have the motivation to play against these teams, including Roma.
“I’m happy. We’ve been recognised by UEFA and it’s been a great festival of football and Barca. [The ceremony for Barca] is recognition of all the Catalans who spent many years working and waiting for this.
“We hope all the players will be available to the Coach and not injured. We’ll fight and fight. We’ve spent years leading the world of football and we’re reassured by our team.
“Some teams we know, like Roma. We played the Joan Gamper against them. It’s home and away, a League, and we hope to finish top of the group. We’ll wait to see how the fixtures fit together.
“I’m satisfied our contribution to European football, and [Best Player winner and nominee] Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, has been recognised.”
